Hunter Education

Thank you for your dedication, passion and interest in Iowa’s wildlife and natural resources!

The goals of the DNR Hunter Education Program are as follows:

• Educate Iowans about hunter safety
• Promote hunter education and ethics
• Train volunteer instructors to teach hunter education
• Continue to keep hunting the safe activity it has become

By providing hunter education to the public, the DNR will help ensure the safety of hunters throughout our state by continuing to promote ethics and fair chase, hunter responsibility and landowner relations. The safety, recruitment, and retention of hunters are important in continuing the tradition of hunting in Iowa's GREAT Outdoors!

Hunter education is a mandatory program that is designed to introduce students to several life-long skills that are important to the many different types of outdoor recreational opportunities. The course teaches students basic survival and first aid skills, water safety, wildlife identification, and the basics of wildlife management, hunting laws, and firearm/archery safety. Hunter education also stresses the importance of individual responsibility and outdoor ethics.

Iowa law requires that anyone born after January 1, 1972 must be certified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license. The minimum number of hours to complete the class is 10. Typically there is no charge for the course, unless lunch is furnished or room rental is required. Iowa recognizes hunter education certificates issued by another state and some foreign nations.

A person who is 11 years old or older may enroll in a course, but those who are 11 and successfully complete the course shall be issued a certificate which becomes valid on that person's 12th birthday. Iowa residents under the age of 12 can be issued a deer or turkey license; however, a licensed adult hunter must accompany each youth hunter. If the certificate is lost, a replacement certificate may be obtained from any ELSI vendor during regular business hours for $4.50.

Classes are typically held from March 1 - November 15 each year. Our courses are taught by volunteer instructors who are hunters so there are very few classes that take place after November 15.

Hunter Education - Register Now

Q: Does my child need hunter education to purchase a deer or turkey license?
A: No, as long as your child is an Iowa resident under 16 years old and hunting with a licensed adult they do not need hunter education.

Q: How do I find a class?
A: You can find classes online at https://events.gooutdoorsiowa.com. On the webpage you can search for a course in a district near you.

Q: Are there more classes handled than appear on the website? If so, how do I find them?
A: Yes, you can find out about other classes by contacting the chief hunter education instructor for the county in which you are wishing to attend a class. The chief should have an idea of all of the classes going on within the county. You my also contact the local conservation officer for the county you are interested in.

Q: Why aren't there more classes?
A: Hunter education is taught by volunteers. It takes a lot of time and effort by these volunteers to put together classes that will provide the students with all of the knowledge they will need to be a safe and successful hunter.

Q: How can I get a class set up in my area?
A: Contact your chief instructor and work with him/her to contact other instructors that would be willing to help put on a class. You will also want to make sure there are more interested students in the area. You may also contact your local conservation officer or recreation safety officer.

Q: Do I have to take the class in the county that I live in?
A: No, you may attend a class in any county.

Q: Is there a set time for classes in each county?
A: Some counties have classes the same time every year, but it does vary from county to county. The best way to find out that information is to check the website or contact the chief instructor.

Q: What is the cost?
A: The cost is free. There may be a cost associated with some of the internet courses.

Q: Do I need hunter education if I already took bow hunter education?
A: Yes, if you meet the criteria for needing to take hunter education then you must take it. Hunter education deals with firearms while bow hunter education focuses specifically on bow hunting.

Q: Are there substitutions for hunter education such as military training, law enforcement training, etc?
A: No.

Q: What if I lost my hunter education certificate?
A: If the certificate is lost, a replacement certificate maybe obtained from any ELSI vendor during regular business hours for $4.50.

Q: What if I took hunter education in another state?
A: Iowa recognizes hunter education certificates issued by another state and some foreign nations.

Q: How can I help teach hunter education?
A: If you have already taken the hunter education course, you can go to a new instructor workshop and become a hunter education instructor. From there you can make contact with your chief instructor, local conservation officer, or recreation safety officer and either help with existing courses or start your own.

Bowhunter Education
The bowhunter program is designed to teach bowhunters safe and ethical hunting techniques and to install responsible attitudes toward people, wildlife and the environment. 

Hunter Education Instructors
Interested in becoming a Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor?

Mentored Hunts
Find an upcoming mentored hunt in your backyard.

By registering as an organ donor you authorize your organs, eyes, and tissues to be donated at the time of your death. Organs, eyes and tissues will be recovered for the purpose of transplantation; however, in the event a donated organ, eye or tissue cannot be used for transplant, an effort will be made to use the donation for research.

For more information visit the Iowa Donor Registry FAQ online.

Last Updated: 12/10/2024

Follow these simple steps to purchase a duplicate hunter education certificate online:

If you have any trouble, please contact:

Iowa DNR Customer Service
515-725-8200
Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Don't have internet access?
You can also visit any one of our license vendors (anywhere that sells hunting or fishing licenses) in Iowa and purchase a duplicate hunter education certificate, if you have provided your certificate for a prior purchase.

Following these simple four firearms safety rules will prevent most hunting related incidents.

This short video provides tips about how wearing blaze orange can keep you safe in the field, provided by  hunter-ed.com.